First lifesaving Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service training session delivered on donated Metro train
The first official training exercise will be delivered by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service firefighters on the recently donated Metro train at Service Headquarters in Washington.
Known simply as No. 4019, the retired yellow Metro carriage, weighing 40-tonnes and measuring 29 metres in length was gifted to the Service back in September with the intention of being a training aide for our firefighters and fellow blue light partners.
The controlled exercise will see a TWFRS crew rescuing a Metro driver after his train collides with a road vehicle that has crossed the rail track.
The carriage will be filled with cosmetic smoke as the firefighters perform the rescue.
To add to the reality of the incident a damaged car will be placed on the 38-metre stretch of purpose-built rail track.
They say the train is a vital asset for all operational firefighters including members of our TWFRS Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team and will also enable crews to take part in multi-agency training exercises with external emergency service partners.
To add to the realism of the permanent training location a concrete platform, mock train tunnel, and an imitation ticket machine are also positioned on-site.
They say this will enable training teams to deliver multiple rescue exercises, on and off the train, and simulate fires through cosmetic smoke and fire.
Dale Howey, Head of Service Delivery Operational Training for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It’s essential for the development of our firefighters that they are given the opportunity to experience and train in real life scenarios, where they can practice and enhance their specialist skills.
“The Metro is a huge infrastructure in our region and it is vital that we train to meet the risks within our Service area.
"The Metro carriage is a vital part of our training centre that provides a location where serious incidents such as rail or road traffic collisions can be set up for exercise purposes.
"We can also introduce many other elements into the carriage because most incidents are never the same.
“The Service appreciates the Metro carriage that was gifted from our partners at Nexus, as this will ultimately ensuring our crews are able to train for the risks within our region and potentially save people’s lives for years to come.”
Michael Richardson, Head of Fleet and Depot Replacement at Nexus, said: “It’s fantastic to see a decommissioned Metro train being put to such important use by the Tyne and Wear and Rescue Service at their revamped training facility in Washington.
“The old carriage, which has served our customers for 45 years, is now playing a vital role supporting firefighter training across a range of different scenarios that they must prepare for.
“I’ve no doubt it’ll prove useful, allowing their fire crews to hone essential lifesaving skills which are required of them in the event of a real-life emergency.”